Accessibility for the Built Environment

Course Description

This three-session workshop provides a practical, people-centred introduction to accessibility in buildings and public spaces. It is designed for professionals who influence how facilities are planned, operated, maintained, and improved—and who want to ensure those spaces are welcoming, usable, and respectful for people of all abilities.

Participants will explore how accessibility goes beyond compliance to support dignity, inclusion, and community well-being. The course focuses on identifying real barriers in the built environment—both indoors and outdoors—and understanding how those barriers affect access, safety, and service delivery for people with diverse disabilities.

The workshop also covers key legislative and regulatory frameworks, including the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Building Code (OBC), with clear guidance on how these apply to existing buildings, renovations, and new construction. Participants will learn how to assess spaces, prioritize improvements, and recommend practical, cost-effective solutions that align with legal requirements and organizational realities.

This course is not about box-checking. It is about building knowledge, confidence, and accountability to create spaces where accessibility is understood, embedded, and valued.

What You Will Learn

• Core accessibility legislation, standards, and best practices

• How different disabilities interact with the built environment and where barriers commonly occur

• How to identify, evaluate, and prioritize accessibility barriers in facilities

• Practical approaches to addressing accessibility gaps in a meaningful and realistic way

• How to support informed, defensible decision-making for accessibility improvements